2 X 48 Belt Grinder (again)

[rwm]

Thanks guys. I'm glad someone is following this!
I may put a flat piece of sheet metal in the bottom like a tray to catch dust and particles and make it easy to clean. My bandsaw has something like that. I designed the table mount to make it easy to get back to 0 °. You just drop the table until it hits the horizontal mount on the left; that acts as a zero stop. I plan to make the table in an L shape and have the table extend past the belt (posterior to) on the left. Will that be sufficient or should I make the table in a U and have it extended on both sides? That will be harder to cut.
I have been seeing online that people are using ceramic and glass platten faces. Any good reason to go to that? Does anyone use such a thing? I also saw a water cooled platten! If my platten gets warm I plan to add the heat sink.
Just waiting for some parts and I can have a video of it in action. I have about 30 lbs of belt tension. The vertical arm is fairly rigid. The tracking works very well. Overall, this thing feels fairly heavy duty and should work well.
Robert

 

[Mark_f]

You should not need a fancy platen ( unless you want one). My platen is nine inches long and steel. I have no problems. If it gets hot, it is too close to the belt. It only rubs the belt hard when grinding and that is usually short periods. Idling , it should barely touch the belt or not rich it at all. It is important it is parralell to the belt. Your project is fantastic and you have done a great job.

 

[rwm]

The 1/2" trade size cord grip fit perfectly. I wired it with 14 AWG:



I put a draw latch to hold the end door closed. So easy to change the belt!


Dust collection port:






So now I just need to finish the table. It will have some type of miter gauge TBD.
Thanks for watching! Completion shots when the table material comes.

Robert

 

[FOMOGO]

Really looking good. Looking forward to seeing it in action. Mike

 

[strantor]

That thing is sexy. You'll post a video won't you?

P.S. Put the heat sink on it. If for no other reason than to look awesome.

 

[rwm]

OK! Heat sink it is! I was hoping someone would say that...
Yes I will get video once the table is done.
FYI I solved the motor mount issue by having it mounted on the face only. The base looks like it is in contact with the aluminum base plate but it is actually a few mm above it.
I am also thinking about a dedicated light. I envision a flexible gooseneck coming off the electrical box with a (World Market Martini Shaker) LED light head attached to it. There would be two adjacent toggles on the panel. Nice!
In case you missed it in my other thread:


Robert

 

[rwm]

Here is a mock up of the table. I would love to hear some comments and ideas on how to make and attach a miter gauge without cutting table slots.
So far it is 7 x 8 with a cutout of 2.25 x 1.5"
View attachment 214667

R
View attachment 214667

 

[rwm]

Crickets out there!
OK let me float an idea mocked up: There would be some type of clamp at the table edge that holds the miter fence to the table. I don't like the aesthetics of the table but I think it would be functional.
Thoughts?
Robert

 

[kvt]

I like the Idea. I would move it over to where the other edge is aligned with the edge of the belt. Also a clamp could be fashioned to attach with a thumb screw where it clamps the bottom edge of the table through the movable piece. That is if you make it rounded like you have there.

 

[rwm]

Thanks Ken. Why the other edge? I think I picked this edge unintentionally because I am left handed! The clamp and thumbscrew was exactly what I had in mind.
Hey Mark! Chime in here before I start cuttin' stuff
Robert